Monday, October 29, 2012

What a crazy week it's been! Everyone at Blue Hill has been preparing and bracing for Hurricane Sandy while getting ready for the Blue Goose combined test and Waredaca Horse Trials.

Saturday began by welcoming new boarder Lauri Albert and her horse Donner Tanz. Lauri and Donner compete in dressage at first level, and are looking forward to moving up the levels under Jessica's guidance.

Rachel and Seema took their horses Solo SWF and VS Pass Play (Keegan) to do the Training level combined test at Blue Goose Stable. Solo did his first show with Rachel and behaved very well. Solo is switching from a career as a show jumper to eventing, and Rachel is very pleased with his progress. Keegan completed his first Training level dressage test and show jump course in fine style. Look for both pairs to be very competitive out eventing next year!

Sunday was a very early morning with three horses going to Waredaca. Jeff Kibbie's Loki was Missy's first ride of the morning. Jeff has been at Waredaca all week building the course for the horse trial and training three day, so Missy competed Loki in the Preliminary for him. Loki scored a 35.9 on the flat and had a good show jump round with one rail down. Missy gave him an easy ride around the cross country to finish clear with some time.

Steph rode Diligence in her first Prelim since her accident last fall. They had a slightly tense dressage test, but Dylan had some very good moments. A spook in the show jumping brought down two rails, but Dylan jumped well, and loped around the cross country easily. They will compete in the Prelim at Virginia next weekend before heading to Florida for the winter with Missy.

Missy and Garrybritt Ike had an excellent dressage to sit in fourth place on a 24.1. Ike show jumped well in the TH division with one down at the liverpool. Ike had a green moment on cross country but was overall a star, and Missy is thrilled with his maturity around the course. Stay tuned for big things from this pair!

Missy and Ike at Waredaca

Next weekend is the last two shows of the season for Blue Hill. Bonnie Kibbie is riding her husband's Advanced horse Loki in the Novice, and Rachel Gross and Carlingford Simply Harry will compete in the Novice as well. Missy will head down to the Virginia Horse Trials to coach Jason Racey and The Dodger in the CCI* and Steph Cauffman and Diligence in the OP.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Watch U.S. Paralympian Rebecca Hart On Good Morning America October 10th with Co-Host Ann Romney

New York, NY - October 8, 2012 - On Wednesday October 10th, U.S. Paralympian Rebecca Hart of Unionville, Penn. will be showcased on ABC's Good Morning America. Hart will accompany Ann Romney, wife of Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney in New York's Times Square. Mrs. Romney and Rebecca Hart will be speaking about how horses have provided a unique form of therapy for them. Both equestrians will also touch on the 2012 London Paralympics and the equestrian sport. Mrs. Romney will be co-hosting the 8 a.m. (Eastern Time) news hour with George Stephanopoulos on Wednesday where she is filling in for Robin Roberts, who is on extended medical leave.

Both Rebecca Hart and James Dwyer were recent competitors at the 2012 London Paralympics in Para-Dressage. Rebecca Hart earned a 4th in the team competition, 5th place in the freestyle, and 11th place in the individual test competition. Rebecca Hart was part of the seventh-place U.S. Paralympic Team featuring the late Jonathan Wentz and NTEC Richter Scale, Donna Ponessa aboard Wes Dunham's Western Rose, and Dale Dedrick on Bonifatius.

James Dwyer was one of the four athletes representing the Bronze Medal Ireland team. Alongside James Dwyer and horse Orlando were Eilish Byrne aboard Youri, Geraldine Savage on Blues Tip Top Too, and Helen Kearney on Mister Cool.

As an elite equestrian and co-owner of 2012 U.S. Olympic Dressage horse Rafalca ridden by Jan Ebeling, Ann Romney can relate to Hart's and Dwyer's recent accomplishments and therapeutic use of riding. Ann Romney, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1998, is an advocate for Multiple Sclerosis. Mrs. Romney began riding as a form of therapy and found it to benefit her life in many ways. Hart and Mrs. Romney met in June 2012 where Hart was presented with the 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship. "This whole year has been a whirlwind," noted Hart. I met Mrs. Romney in June, rode down the Prime Meridian at the London Paralympics for my team in August, met the President of the United States in September, and now will be riding in Times Square. You don't often get asked to ride in Times Square and I am very excited for this opportunity."

The program is scheduled on ABC's Good Morning America Wednesday October 10th at 8 a.m. (Eastern Time). Please check your local listings for your local ABC channel.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Jonathan Wentz 1990-2012

Lexington, KY- The United States Equestrian Federation mourns the loss of a great competitor and advocate for para-equestrian sport. Jonathan Wentz passed away September 30, 2012.

Wentz had recently returned from London where he was a member of the U.S. Team that earned seventh place at the 2012 Paralympic Games. At those Games, Wentz also finished fourth in the Individual Test and fifth in the Freestyle Test in Grade 1b competition riding Kai Handt’s NTEC Richter

Jonathan Wentz and NTEC Richter Scale at the 2012 Paralympic Games (Shannon Brinkman)

Scale. These strong results earned Wentz the distinction of being the highest-placed American equestrian at either the London Olympic or Paralympic Games.

Wentz enjoyed an extremely successful career with NTEC Richter Scale a horse that carried him to the World Championships, Paralympic Games and a National Championship. In 2010, the pair represented the U.S. for the first time at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian and the following year they claimed the USEF 2011 USEF National Para-Equestrian Championship. In 2012, the combination earned Reserve Champion honors at the 2012 USEF National Para-Equestrian Championships and Paralympic Selection Trials prior to travelling to London. Additionally, Wentz finished in sixth place with Silvano at the 2012 National Championship.

In addition to competing at the highest level, Wentz was tireless advocate for his sport. He served on the USEF Youth Council representing para-equestrian and was a member of the USEF Para Equestrian Technical Committee. Additionally, he served as an ambassador for hippotherapy, therapeutic riding, and para-equestrian dressage from an early age.

Wentz was also a student at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX with a keen interest in political science, history and the law.

"The Federation sends our deepest sympathies and condolences to the Wentz family. Jonathan was great competitor and outstanding role model for all in equestrian sport. He will be greatly missed," said John Long, USEF CEO.

A celebration of Jonathan's life will be held Saturday, October 6, 2012 at the Grace Bible Church, 11306 Inwood Rd, Dallas TX, 75229.